Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia, was targeted in a mortar attack at Baidoa Airport as he arrived on Friday for his first visit since taking office.
According to local reports, mortar shells struck the airport runway at the same time as the president’s plane was landing. Security forces quickly surrounded him and escorted him into an armored vehicle following nearby explosions.
The militant group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it had targeted the airport with mortar fire aimed at the president and his delegation.
In a separate development, Somali security forces conducted joint operations in the Lower Shabelle region, resulting in the arrest of a senior militant figure linked to Al-Shabaab.
